Reports that Arsenal are entitled to 50% of the transfer fee if Cesc Fabregas moves from Barcelona to Manchester United are wide of the mark, a source has told ESPN.

On Monday, United tabled a €30 million bid for the former Gunners midfielder, and are awaiting a response from the Spanish champions.

ESPN understands their initial approach about a possible deal for the 26-year-old Spain midfielder, made last month, encouraged them that agreement could be reached.

With an official bid now in place, Barcelona are obliged to inform Arsenal and offer them the chance to re-sign their former captain.

The Gunners are entitled to buy Fabregas at a set fee, believed to be around the same as the figure United have offered.

Should they decline to do so, they would receive 50% of any profit Barcelona make on his transfer. A deal anywhere near the €30 million mark is unlikely to yield any dividends.

With Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger giving no indication that he is eager to bring Fabregas back to North London, United believe they can succeed in their bid to sign him.

Early last month, Old Trafford ambassador Denis Irwin suggested United "would move heaven and earth" to sign Fabregas - but many hurdles remain to be overcome in order for a deal to go through.

It is unclear whether Fabregas would be open to a move to Manchester two years after completing his return to Barcelona, the club where he started his career.

However, the presence of former Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie at Old Trafford may encourage him to move to Manchester, while the possibility of not playing week in, week out at the Camp Nou in a World Cup season may be another factor.